Green Striped Hermit Crab

General information

The Green Striped Hermit Crab, like all hermit crabs, also live inside the empty shells of gastropods. Its body is colored dark green or brown with streaks of white or grey. Its legs are also green or brown in color covered with short bristles. It can grow up to 10 cm (4 in) in length. Its head and limbs are the only parts that project through the opening of the shell while its abdomen is fully protected. 

It is a scavenger that mainly subsists on detritus.

It reproduces when the male releases spermatophores into the water and the female broods the eggs until they are ready to hatch. However, breeding the hermit crabs inside the aquarium is difficult.

It is native to the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the western Atlantic Ocean.

Like most invertebrates, the Green-Striped Hermit Crab does not do well if there are large swings in water parameters. It also does not tolerate any type of metal traces in the water, therefore, it should never be in contact with any copper medications.

Most invertebrates do not like large swings in water parameters and the Green-Striped Hermit Crab is not an exception, so even though most hobbyists do not acclimate their cleaner crews it is suggested to do so. If you have a sump, float your cleaner crew in an area with low light to allow them to temperature acclimate first which should take about 15-20 min. Then it is best to slowly drip acclimate them to allow them to adjust to your water conditions.